Israel Orders All Gaza City Residents to Leave Ahead of Assault
Israel has ordered more than one million residents of Gaza City to evacuate ahead of a looming military offensive, warning that the city would face devastation unless Hamas surrenders.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning on Monday, declaring: “I am taking this opportunity to say to the residents of Gaza City, listen to me carefully: You have been warned; Get out of there!”
The order marks the first time Israel has demanded the complete evacuation of Gaza City, home to half of the enclave’s population. The military said about 100,000 residents had already fled south, where it is preparing tents, food and sanitary facilities. However, so-called safe zones have repeatedly come under attack, leaving displaced Palestinians in overcrowded and dire conditions.
Defence Minister Israel Katz reinforced the threat, posting on X: “If Hamas terrorists do not lay down their arms and free all the hostages, they will be destroyed and Gaza will be razed.” He shared an image of a collapsed high-rise in the upscale Rimal neighbourhood, which Israel says Hamas used as a base.
For weeks, residents of Gaza City’s outskirts have moved toward downtown and coastal areas, squeezed into shrinking zones as Israeli bombardments and ground operations intensified. Aid groups warn that many civilians cannot afford another move south due to cost and lack of transport. Analysts predict a significant number will remain in place despite the risks.
The Hamas-run Ministry of Health has appealed for the protection of hospitals and medical staff, warning that thousands of patients are in danger. It says more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 23-month-long war, triggered by the Hamas assault of October 2023 that left 1,200 Israelis dead.
Inside Israel, opposition is mounting. Protesters argue the offensive could endanger both troops and the roughly 20 hostages still believed to be alive. On Monday, Hamas fighters killed four Israeli soldiers by attacking their tank with explosives in northern Gaza.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has floated a new ceasefire proposal involving the release of hostages and negotiations under his oversight. Israel has responded positively, while Hamas official Basem Naim said the group seeks an agreement that ends the war but rejected “a humiliating surrender document.”
